The Dinosaur Discovery

One sunny afternoon, Anderson was helping Daddy water the flowers in the backyard when he suddenly stopped.

“Daddy…” he whispered.

Right there in the soft dirt was a footprint.

Not a bird footprint.

Not a dog footprint.

And definitely not one Anderson had ever seen before.

It had three giant toes.

Anderson’s eyes grew wide. “That looks like a dinosaur footprint!”

Just then, Rue trotted over, sniffed the footprint, and wagged her tail excitedly.

Daddy knelt beside it. “Well, that’s certainly interesting.”

Anderson looked around the yard. “Do you think there’s really a dinosaur here?”

Before Daddy could answer, Rue barked once and dashed toward the big oak tree.

“Wait for us!” Anderson called.

They hurried after her.

Near the tree was another footprint.

And then another.

The footprints marched across the grass, around the swing set, and toward the garden.

“This is definitely a clue,” Anderson said.

“I agree,” Daddy replied. “I think we’re on a dinosaur expedition.”

Anderson grinned.

A real dinosaur expedition!

They followed the footprints through the garden and around the side of the house.

Then Rue stopped.

She sat down and looked under a tall bush.

Anderson carefully peeked inside.

Something moved.

Then a tiny blue head popped out.

It was a dinosaur.

A very, very small dinosaur.

It was no bigger than a kitten.

The little dinosaur blinked its big eyes and let out the tiniest squeak.

Anderson’s mouth fell open.

“Daddy! We found one!”

The dinosaur looked around nervously.

“I think it might be lost,” Daddy said softly.

The little dinosaur gave another squeak.

Anderson crouched down. “Don’t worry. We’ll help you.”

The tiny dinosaur took one small step toward him.

Then another.

Rue gently laid down beside it and wagged her tail.

The dinosaur seemed to relax.

Anderson smiled.

“I think it likes us.”

Just then, a soft rustling sound came from somewhere beyond the backyard fence.

The little dinosaur’s head suddenly perked up.

It squeaked happily.

Then another sound answered from far away.

Anderson looked at Daddy.

Daddy looked at Anderson.

Anderson’s eyes grew wide.

“Do you think…” he whispered.

Daddy smiled.

“I think our little dinosaur might not be alone.”